Chris Waller guided by Darren Weir with Nature Strip

Trainer Chris Waller has refuted the suggestion he was keeping Nature Strip from potentially spoiling the party in Saturday's Group One Black Caviar Lightning.

Nature Strip, a 4YO gelding, never looked remotely close to losing the Group Two Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield last week, leading many to suggest he should be lining up in this week's weight-for-age sprint­ over 1000m at Flemington.

The presence of Zoustar colt Lean Mean Machine, hunting a Group One win that would spike his stallion value, caused many to think Nature Strip was being directed away from the race to protect the stablemate.

Waller, speaking on RSN 927 on Friday morning, refuted those claims, instead saying he was in fact following advice from Nature Strip's previous trainer Darren Weir, who was disqualified for four years earlier in February.

"And obviously consider the Newmarket which is four weeks between runs [from the Rubiton], which we're still doing, but we're throwing in the Oakleigh Plate providing he doesn't get too much weight, as a suitable option over 1100m.

"It seems logical, but backing up within seven days with a sprinter ... I don't think's perfect."

Nature Strip is $2.50 in BetEasy's all-in market for the Oakleigh Plate, while he's rated a $9 shot in the Newmarket Handicap.

Furthermore, Waller explained the path ahead for another of his Zoustar colts, Zousain, who was also set to run in the Lightning before a hiccup.

"He's come back well. We did intend to run him in the Lightning this week, but he had a minor setback with a temperature, which he's well past now," he added.

"He trialled really well Monday, and he'll more than likely run in the Zeditave at Caulfield next Saturday, then two weeks later into the Newmarket."

Waller said Lean Mean Machine, preparing for just his ninth start, has matured since his spring campaign when running within 1.2L of Sunlight in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes.

"He's come back really well, I think he'll be a better late 3YO than early 3YO simply on type," Waller said.

"There's a lot of positive feedback from his riders and he looks great. Pretty handy horse, he's shown everybody a glimpse of his ability, I just want to tick the Group One box now and add to his Group wins he's had."

Meanwhile, Tom Melbourne will race against Winx for the first time in his well-publicised career, and fittingly, Waller is pencilling him in to chase home the champ in Saturday's Group Two Apollo Stakes (1400m).

"He can [run second]. He's got fitness on his side, the race maps that he'll be in front without a lot of pressure applied, so he'll take some beating - there's no doubt about that," his trainer said.

"He's been running seconds in a lot of the big Group Ones, and it looks like he's come back better than he's been for a while so it's certainly going to help his claims getting into the All-Star Mile.

"We need a bit more support to get his votes up, so don't be afraid to give Tom a bit of support because he'll run well."